Tuesday Tutorial

Here is an easy way to make a bowtie without a sewing machine! I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before but I do not have a sewing machine {as bad as I want one!} so I have to use other resources. This is super easy and chances are you already have everything.

What You Need

fabric, scissors, thread and needle, a piece of velcro, a glue gun and an iron. 

A measuring tape is helpful too.

1. Cut your fabric to measure 8 in x 5 in, 2 in x 5 in and 13 in x 2 in.

2. Take the 8x5 inch piece of fabric {which will be the actual bow} and fold it hot dog style.

It should now measure about 1 1/2 to 2 inches depending on how tall you want the bow. I like mine to be at 1 3/4 inches.

Repeat this with both of the other pieces. The 2 x 5 inch fabric {which will be the center of the bow}should now measure 3/4 x 5 inch. The longer piece {the collar} should measure 3/4 in x 13 inches.

3. I forgot this picture BUT if you look at the folded piece of fabric below on the left...that's our next step! Take the piece for the bow and fold it in on both sides to measure 4 inches wide. It should now be at 4 in x 1 3/4 or whatever size you want your bow. Run some hot glue along the seems of all three pieces to keep them together.

4. Take the bow piece of fabric and squeeze it down in the center. You might have to move it a bit to make it even on the top and bottom. Carefully stitch a few times through the middle to secure it.

5. Now that you have a bow, its time to attach it to the collar. Make sure you pick what side of the bow you want facing out because they can go either way. Make sure you also place the collar fabric strip seem side down then find the center of the fabric and put a dab of hot glue there. Place the bow on top. *For whatever reason this picture is sideways but you get the idea.

6. Place the center strip of fabric down, seem side up and flip the bow and collar piece onto it. You should now be looking at the back of the bowtie. Place a little bit of hot glue to hold the center piece secure.Once it has cooled off, continue wrapping it around the center of the bow toward the back again. 

Glue the ends together

Cut off the excess fabric.

The top picture is what the back of the bowtie should look like at this point and the bottom picture is what the front should look like.

7. Almost done! Now we need some velcro. Glue one of the velcro pieces to the right side of the collar on the front and the other to the left side of the collar on the back. Or vice versa...just make sure they attach to each other correctly :) 

Glue each end shut so that it is more sturdy around the neck.

Now you have a bowtie!